SUICIDE Trend in Nigeria By; Iredia Aiwekhoe

                  SUICIDE Trend in Nigeria


By; Iredia Aiwekhoe, he is a Corps Member serving in Kiama LGA, Kwara State and a member Creative Writing SAED.

Suicide means ending ones own life. It has been  a way for people to escape pain or suffering. When someone end their own life, we can also say that suicide  is the act of intentionally causing one's own death through  Mental disorders which  include depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorders, and substance abuse—including alcoholism and the use of benzodiazepines
Most Nigerians have become suicidal from time immemorial. Every average Nigerian citizen has one worry or the other ranging from financial to emotional or societal. The easy way out of all these worries for some, has become suicide. Recently, some Nigerians have even taken their lives for the most ridiculous reasons such as a relationship break-ups. Suicide has also become very rampant in Nigeria lately especially as surviving in the country has continued to prove tougher. It should be recalled that this is not the first time Nigerians have taken their own lives by jumping into this lagoon and ingesting of poisonous substances.
According to reserch few possible reasons why suicide rate in Nigeria increased over the years could be, Depression, depression is likely the major reason for suicide. People are depressed for various reasons ranging from loss of loved ones, marital, occupational, financial problems to frustration from things happening around.
  The nation’s socio-economic environment is one of the factors that could lead to depression and possibly suicide. Societal expectations are getting higher by the day and the country’s economic environment contradicts these expectations.
Enormous emotional and financial stress as well as pervading poverty and hopelessness in the country is reason enough for some to commit suicide.
  Unemployment crisis has created an almost lost generation of graduates, who cannot find not fit into the jobs market with many of them picking negetive vices and sometimes suicide could be a bail on life.
  Rampant use of intoxicants and hard drugs such as Indian hemp and cocaine are have come to stay in the society and the adverse effects of these drugs can often time lead to suicide
SUICIDE WARNING SIGNS
Any of the following could be potential warning signs for suicide:

Excessive sadness or moodiness: Long-lasting sadness, mood swings, and unexpected rage.
Hopelessness: Feeling a deep sense of hopelessness about the future, with little expectation that circumstances can improve.
Sudden calmness: Suddenly becoming calm after a period of depression or moodiness can be a sign that the person has made a decision to end his or her life.
Withdrawal: Choosing to be alone and avoiding friends or social activities also are possible symptoms of depression, a leading cause of suicide. This includes the loss of interest or pleasure in activities the person previously enjoyed.
Changes in personality and/or appearance: A person who is considering suicide might exhibit a change in attitude or behavior, such as speaking or moving with unusual speed or slowness. In addition, the person might suddenly become less concerned about his or her personal appearance.
Dangerous or self-harmful behavior:  dangerous behavior, such as reckless driving, engaging in unsafe sex, and increased use of drugs and/or alcohol might indicate that the person no longer values his or her life.
Recent life crisis: A major life crises might trigger a suicide attempt. Crises include the death of a loved one or pet, divorce or break-up of a relationship, diagnosis of a major illness, loss of job,or serious financial problems
HOW TO OVERCOME SUICIDE

Look at Suicide as a Cry for Help,
When a person attempts suicide, this isn't necessarily a sign that they want to die. Instead, it's an indicator that they are in great emotional pain, but don't know how to deal with it. Suicide has started to look like their only option to escape a situation that they don't know how to handle. If they are still alive, however, they are desperately seeking an alternative to death and attempting suicide is their way of reaching out and saying that they need help.

Encourage Them to Get Help from Depression
Even though some people's suicides may sometimes seem to come out of the blue, it's quite likely they had been depressed for a very long time. Getting prompt professional assistance at the first signs of depression is a very important step in preventing suicide. Working to take away the stigma of depression and encouraging people who are hurting to get the help that they need right away can go a long way in saving lives, the problem must be dealt with before it gets too bad.

Be a Good Listener
Being able to talk with a caring friend and unburden yourself from your troubles can go a long way in relieving the unbearable build up of pressure that can lead to a suicide attempt. Being a good listener doesn't require any special skills. Be patient and accepting, but avoid getting into an argument or trying to offer simplistic solutions. Simply be there and show that you care.

Don't Be Afraid to Ask About Their Suicidal Feelings
While you may be afraid to bring up the topic of suicide for fear of triggering an idea, the fact is that those thoughts and feelings are there regardless of what you might say. What you are really doing by discussing the topic is giving them an opportunity to open up to you and allow you help them.

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If They Are in Danger, Don't Leave Them Alone
If they seem to be in danger of hurting themselves, do not leave them alone. Take steps to get them away from any means they could use in hurting themselves

See a Mental Health Professional
It may take some patience and persistence, but urge them to make an appointment with a mental health professional. Once they have made the appointment, continue to maintain contact in order to encourage them to follow through with appointments and treatment plans.

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Know That Secrets Can Kill
If the person asks you to not tell anyone, be aware that you may have to break your promise in order to help him. Having him alive but angry with you is preferable to keeping a promise that leads to him taking his life.
  Finally, on the ethics of suicide, it must be noted that suicide is an act, a definite act with very final consequences. Therefore, this act must be looked at differently from some other issues of modern freedoms, or even ideas surrounding the right to die with dignity. Proper, timely death can be an affirmation of the life process. Suicide has never solved been proven to solve any problem, instead you leave loved ones in shame and tears.